Amsterdam attractions - Top 10

Amsterdam is a unique city. Despite the obvious presence of thousands of visitors, its
life remained authentic. To observe it is enough to stroll along the canal streets or to
sit for a while in one of Amsterdam many cafés. Nevertheless, there are places in the
city you should not miss during your visit. Here is our list of the best of the best.

Amsterdam canal ring

The city old centre is formed from canal rings, which give you the feeling of space,
freedom and peace. Walk through these canal streets or better – take a trip with a boat
by boarding one of the tourist cruises or by renting the boat yourself. Anther way to
explore the Venice of the North is to take a ride on a bicycle. Any way you decide for
– enjoy this city, one of the most beautiful in the world.

Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is the largest museum in the Netherlands, with more than a million
visitors each year. The Rijksmuseum is currently in a prolonged renovation, but a
small part of it remains open. Its exhibition called The Masterpieces shows the most
famous pieces of Dutch art from the 17th c., usually called the Golden Age of the
Netherlands. Rembrandt, Vermeer and Hals reflect in their work different aspects of
Dutch national character. You may also see the museum treasury, beautiful doll
houses from the period and the traditional Delftware.

Van Gogh Museum

This modern museum houses some 200 paintings and 550 sketches showing Van
Gogh in all his moods. This biggest in the world collection, combined with hundreds
of letters by Van Gogh, and selected works by his friends and contemporaries, form
the core of the museum's collection.

Begijnhof
A narrow, vaulted passageway leads to this charming quiet garden surrounded by old
houses, in the very centre of town. The devout celibate Béguine nuns have been
replaced by old ladies. The No.34 is the oldest house in Amsterdam. Entrance on
Spui, just a step from the main commercial street Kalverstraat, is indicated by a
carved sign. Entry is free.

Oude Kerk
This huge old protestant church with little houses clinging to its sides remains a calm
heaven at the heart of the frenetic Red Light District. Its buildings, especially the
Gothic-renaissance style octagonal bell tower, were used by sailors to get their
bearings. For some adults, an evening walk in the nightlife area around the church
might be interesting.

Amsterdam Brown Café

After a busy day of walking enjoy a simple meal or just a coffee or beer in one of
many Amsterdam old cafés called brown. At first it will seem too much from the past
and too crowded – but the atmosphere is unique, people are famously friendly, prices
low. Relax and watch – most of people around will be locals. Feel like one of them –
the real Amsterdammers.

Magere Brug
Is a traditional double-leaf Dutch draw-bridge connecting sides of river Amstel.
About every 20 minutes the bridge opens, as the bridge master lets boats through. The
original bridge was built in 1670, but it did not change much since. Enjoy the magic
of this place, take a deep breath of fresh air brought by the river.

Museum Amstelkring
On the edge of the Red Light District, museum houses in the restored 17th-century
canal house with two smaller houses to the rear. The lower floors of the building
became a museum in 1888 and today contain refurbished rooms, as well as a
collection of church silver, religious artifacts and paintings.

Civic Guards Gallery (Schuttersgalerij)

As the saying goes – the best things in life are free – this naturally lit gallery filled
with old paintings from the Dutch Golden Age is freely open to the public. The
exhibited canvas may be not always the masterpieces of art (those you may see at the
Rijksmuseum), but these group portraits of Amsterdam citizens and their wives are an
exquisite document of the Dutch civilization and culture centuries ago.

Anne Frank House

Anne Frank House in the center of Amsterdam is the hiding place where Anne Frank
wrote her famous diary during the World War II. Just a few empty rooms in the
hidden annex to the house will make an unforgettable impression if you realize, that
two families lived in these small quarters for more than 2 years hiding from the Nazis.
The original of the diary is on display, as a part of the Anne Frank House's permanent
exhibition.

Cities near amsterdam

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Haarlem: Haarlem is the close neighbor of Amsterdam. Located on the banks of the
River Spaarne, the town developed as a cloth-making center. In the 17th century it
further prospered and became a center for the arts. This business city is now heavily
populated with around 150,000 residents. As it is only 15 minutes away from
Amsterdam, this refined town with fine old buildings is a fine stopover for the
tourists. People often reach here to enjoy its calm and peaceful atmosphere. Frans
Hals Museum is the main attraction of the city. The bulbfields around Haarleem is a
popular tourist destination.

Aalsmeer: Being the important municipality for Amsterdam area, Aalsmeer is known
for the world's largest flower auction. The area, which has a tradition of flowerbulb
production, is located near to the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. This draws in plenty
of tourists from far and wide. The Aalsmeer Flower Auction (VBA) that handles more
than 221 million plants and flowers is the Europe's largest commercial complex. The
event directly employs around 2,000 people. The municipality is also worldly known
for the Aalsmeer Flower Parade, one of the top annual events in the Netherlands. It is
home to Yacht- and Shipbuilding- an area with plenty of open water. It also houses a
mega TV Production group known as Endemol Nederland.
Alkmaar: This town was established in the 10th century. The well-constructed
medieval buildings are the beauty of the town. The famous kaasmarkt (cheese
market), which began in 1300s is still popular and is an added attraction to this little
town. Located forty minutes away from Amsterdam, the tourists who reach the city
never fail to step in here.

Marken: This small but beautiful village now has close connection with the city after
the construction of road to the mainland in 1957. Tourists often visit this small
beautiful village to view its picturesque charms that cannot be explained in words.
The two main parts of the village are Havenbuurt, located behind the harbor, and
Kerkbuurt located around the church. The Marker Museum in Kerkbuurt that tells the
history of the former island its fishing industry has made it a tourist-attracted place.
Its well-built houses that are open to the visitors is lined by waterfront, snack bars and
souvenir shops. This has now become a must visit place.

Volendam: This old fishing village holds the glory of being the place where the great
artists Picasso and Renoir spent a few days. There are many souvenir stalls in the
village that sells objects that are available only in this Volendam. It is now filled with
tourists who reach here for souvenir hunting.

Edam: It is a prosperous, delightful and beautiful town with comparatively lesser

crowd. The brick houses, swing bridges and slender canals add to its beauty. Founded
in the 12th century, it turned out to be a shipping building center in the 17th century.
After much long, it lost its glory and became a farmland. The open-air cheese market
in the town held every Wednesday in July and August in still a popular attraction.

De Zaanse Schans: This Dutch village has around 30 cottages, windmills and
workshops, which create the 18th century ambience. Lying along a network of canals,
De Zaanse Schans is the closest place to Amsterdam. It lies behind River Zaan and is
a popular town with its seven working windmills and the giant industrial affairs used.
Bakkerij (bakery), Kaasboerderij (cheese-making workshop) and Klompenmakerij
(clog-making workshop) are the main highlights of the town. People used to spend
their evenings here and also to experience the hour-long boat trips on River Zaan.

Utrecht: This place on the outskirts of the city is known for the tall spire on its
cathedral. Located around 45 minutes away from the city, it is often visited by tourists
who visit Amsterdam. Utrecht University is world famous for its quality education.
One of Amsterdam's beautiful canals lead to this famous town. The narrow walkway
along the canal is filled with small shops, restaurants, cafes and storerooms.
Beautifully constructed narrow houses can be seen everywhere in the city. The town
is fit to accommodate plenty of people as it is home to a number of world-class
restaurants. The Blues Festival held every year in June is the main attraction of the
town.

Den Haag: It is an international political crossroads and is a major tourist destination.

It is the Dutch seat of government and residence of the royal family. Den Haag has an
amazing picturesque with stately mansions and palatial embassies. Several museums
and historical places attract people to it. The world's biggest jazz festival known as the
North Sea Jazz Festival held annually is a popular attraction.
Scheveningen: It is a popular Dutch seaside resort, which everyone loves to visit. It
has an amazing harbor that has a wonderful museum. A boat trip through its coast
gives a memorable experience. It also has umpteen number of restaurants ranging
from cheap to luxurious, which offers a lovely meal with mouth-watering sea food. A
walk along the beach in the evenings really chills the minds. The wide variety of
attractions and museums make this resort worth to visit. Under sea adventure is the
other interesting feature of this seaside resort. It gives the opportunity to walk through
the eight-meter long tunnel under the sea, where close contacts with sea creatures like
sharks, rays and jellyfish are possible.

Madurodam: This miniature city opened in 1952 helps to feel the pulse of the
Netherlands. It offers many activities for its visitors. Its large park contains two
restaurants, playground, shop and lighthouse picnic area. Madurodam is known for its
4km long railway, the world's largest miniature railway. The windmills, sailing ships
and frequent movement of trains are wonderful sights in the city. Children can also
enjoy being in this smallest city of the Netherlands as it offers various activities for
them.

Keukenkof: In the small town of LISSE lies the world famous Keukenkof garden, the
largest flower garden in the world. Set up in 1949, it is opened to the public only
during particular season. Around seven million flowers are displayed during the
flower show and 5000 square meters of glasshouses hold indoor displays during harsh
winter. This draws in thousands of visitors from all parts of the world visit here to
view this blooming gorgeous spring bulbs. This 28-hectare area has many restaurants
where people can refresh themselves. A walk along the path provided can give a close
glimpse at the daffodils, narcissi, hyacinths and tulips blooming in various colors.

Schiphol: Schiphol Airport, Europe's fourth largest airport, located southeast of

Amsterdam serves as the main gateway to the city. It handles both domestic as well as
international flights. The airport that has one terminal has three sections of arrival and
departure halls. The airport has an extensive parking slot where people can park their
vehicles for hours. It also provides a wide range of shopping facility for the
passengers as well as visitors. Every foreign item can be brought from here. Also,
they hold discount sales during Christmas and festival seasons. It is convenient for the
passengers to board a train from the Central Station, which is only 20 minutes away
from the airport. Taxis and cabs are also available at the airport gate.

As the Netherlands is not a big country and from Amsterdam which is situated
almost in the middle, you can reach all Dutch cities in a maximum of just a few
hours, making a day trip outside the capital can be a real adventure. You can
either visit the big cities such as Rotterdam with its peculiar architecture, the
Hague – home to many international institutions, and smaller, more charming
Utrecht. If you wish to head away from the urban jungle to find some peace and
quiet, consider going to Marken and Volendam – two old fishing villages with
wooden houses or Kinderdijk and Zaanse Schans – picturesque windmill
villages. You can also visit the spectacular Keukennhof which is said to be
world's largest flower garden, and see a flower auction in Aalsmeer or a typically
Dutch Cheese market in Alkmaar.
Amerongen Castle
Address: Drostestraat 20
Phone: +31 30 601 1955
e-mail: info@kasteel-amerongen.nl
Website: http://www.kasteelamerongen.nl/

Amerongen is a town located in the central area of the Netherlands amidst a recently
established national park – Utrechtse Heuvelrug. The landscape is moderate and
ranges from flat water meadows to very hilly. The former emperor of Germany,
Wilhelm II, who had been exiled to the Netherlands, lived in this small town, more
particularly in the Amerongen castle, from 1918 until 1920. The Medieval castle of
Amerongen was actually destroyed by the French in 1673 and what we see today is
only a part of the keep. A new castle was later built between 1676 and 1681 and the
interiors were completely remodelled to be in tune with the 19th-Century tendencies.
It was modelled by P. J. H. Cuypers. Pay close attention to his ceiling paintings in the
Upper Gallery, the Dining room and the Tapestry room. The castle has quite a nice
collection of a variety of blue Chinese porcelain, portraits, books, wall tapestries and
French furniture.

Cheese Market at Alkmaar

Address: Waagplein 2
Phone: +31 72 511 42 84

Website: http://www.vvvalkmaar.nl

One of the first associations that people often have with the Netherlands is cheese.
There are five cheese markets thriving in the country. While Woerden is a fully
modern and commercial cheese market, there are four others which are considered to
be reproductions of the traditional merchant cheese markets that operate very
similarly to those in the Middle Ages. The markets are usually surrounded by stalls
that sell various kinds of traditional Dutch items that, of course, include cheese. The
city of Al kilometresaar is located 50 kilometres from Amsterdam, making it less than
an hours train ride away. The cheese market at the Waagplein is one of the country’s
most popular tourist attractions.

Drenthe
Address: Visitor Information: Raadhuisplein 1
Phone: +31 5935 41769

Website: http://www.drenthe.nl/

The province is located in the northeast of the country with Assen being the capital
city and bordering Germany. The province is marked by extensive cycling paths,
enabling you to hire a bike and go out for a solo tour. In addition, there are numerous
prehistoric monuments, particularly around the village of Havelte and the Saxon
villages. Although the area has always been sparsely populated, there is evidence that
the province has been populated since prehistoric times. Such evidence includes the
appearance of dolmens built around 3500 BC. Of these dolmens, 53 of the total 54
present in the Netherlands can be found in the Drenthe province, particularly in the
northeastern part.

Flevoland
Address: Visarenddreef 1

Website: http://www.flevoland.nl/

Flevoland is a province located in the centre of the country with Lelystad as its
capital. The area is known for its scenic nature and large number of forests. Amateurs
of water sports will be thrilled to find out that at the heart of the province lie
Ijsselmeer and Markermeer, two large lakes that offer a multitude of activities. In
addition, there are a number of smaller and but equally charming lakes such as
Veluwemeer, Gooimeer and Eemmeer. You can hire various types of boats - from
sailing yachts to motorboats - in order to enjoy some beautiful moments on the water.

Flower Auctions (Aalsmeer)

Address: Legmeerdijk 313
e-mail: info@vba.nl
Website: http://www.aalsmeer.com

A famous flower auction opens mornings on weekdays in Aalsmeer. The town is

located in the province of North Holland and borders the Westeinderplassen Lake, the
largest open water of the Randstad. The town is situated a mere 13 kilometres
southwest from Amsterdam, making it a perfect destination for a day trip, although in
this relatively small country there are no long distances at all. Aalsmeer is sometimes
referred to as the flower capital of the world because it hosts the largest flower
auction with numerous nurseries and an experimental station for floriculture every
year. The flowers are often exported by plane in order to preserve their freshness.

Gouda
Address: Visitor Information: Markt 27
Phone: +31 182 511 300
e-mail: info@vvvgouda.nl
Website: http://www.vvvgouda.nl/

If you are fan of Gouda cheese, you will be happy to find out that there is actually a
strong connection between the cheese and the city. This city, located in the province
of South Holland, is famous precisely for its production of Gouda cheese. Located
about 20 kilometres southeast of Rotterdam, it is easily accessible by train. Initially,
the city took its name from the Van der Goude family, which built a fortified castle
alongside the banks of the Gouwe River. The world famous fromage, or ‘fresh
cheese’, is still traded on the cheese market that is held each Thursday.
Haarlem
Address: Visitor Information: Stationsplein 1
Phone: +31 0 900 616 1600
e-mail: info@vvvzk.nl
Website: http://www.vvvzk.nl

Haarlem city, not to be confused with the notorious NYC neighbourhood, is located
20 kilometres west of Amsterdam. Haarlem is situated near the coastal dunes, which
are best visited during the summer months. Historically, the city is the centre of the
tulip bulb-growing district and has been nicknamed Bloemenstad, or the ‘Flower
City’. The oldest mention of Haarlem comes from the 10th Century. The city itself
has quite a history, starting from the 12th Century when Haarlem became a fortified
town and the residence of the Counts of Holland, to the Golden Age when the city
really came alive with new infrastructure, cultural life, its rise as a tulip centre and a
thriving brewery (until the 20th Century when production slowed down after the two
World Wars.)

Hoge Veluwe National Park

Address: Apeldoornseweg 250
Phone: +31 55 37 88100
e-mail: information@hogeveluwe.nl Price: 0 - 7 EUR
Website: http://www.hogeveluwe.nl/

The National Park De Hoge Veluwe is located in the province of Gelderland and
spans over a total of 55 square kilometres. The park forms one of the largest
continuous nature reserves in the Netherlands. It consists of woodlands, heathlands,
lakes and quicksand. In the park you might come across boars, red deer and roe deer.
The park was in fact founded by Anton and Helene Kroller-Muller as part of their
estate. The park is the home to the large St Hubertus hunting lodge, designed by
architect Hendrik Petrus Berlage. The art collection that once belonged to the Mullers
is now exhibited in the Kroller-Muller Museum with famous pieces by such artists as
Van Gogh, Picasso, Mondriaan, Rodin and Moore.Together with the museum and the
sculpture garden, visitors can see a unique combination of art, architecture and nature.

The Hague
The Museon derives its name from the Greek word 'Museion', meaning 'the temple of
the muses'. The museum wasn't always the Museon, though; it originated from the
Foundation of Education and the Museum of Education. The Foundation of Education
was founded with the goal of providing children with trips to the museum, combining
schoolwork with a museum visit to give the children a unique learning experience. As
a result of the educational process, the museum's collection began to expand rapidly,
with 75,000 objects in 1984. The museum therefore had to be renovated and moved
several times, until finally the municipality of The Hague decided on the construction
of a new museum, situated in a location where architects and urban developers in
World War II paid special attention to size and construction material. The museum is
a large building with enough space for many different collection s, and is divided into
five main themes: geology, biology and environmental science, history and
archaeology, psychics and technology and cultural anthropology. There are always
several temporary exhibitions, and also guided tours available. A learning experience
for the whole family, kids can have fun making their own jewellery while you sit in
the café and have a coffee.

Museum of Photography is rather new, having only been open to the public since
2002, and has a successful exhibition of Photography in the Netherlands dating from
1852 to 2002. Another museum is located in the same building, the GEM, which has
visual art from national as well as international artists. The Museum of Photography
has ever-changing exhibitions with various kinds of material, such as journalistic,
natural and retrospective. Admission is charged, and keep in mind that taking
photographs or filming is not allowed.

The Mauritshuis is located in the center of The Hague, and worth having a look at.
Even if you don't want to go inside, take a look at the beautiful building and its
construction in the classic Dutch style. Built in 1640, the museum's collection began
in 1822, when the Royal Cabinet of Paintings was formed, becoming the world's most
famous art collection. Jan Vermeer has the most important painting here, but besides
Vermeer there are also paintings by Rembrandt, Frans Hals and Jan van Steen. The
permanent exhibition of the Mauritshuis consists of paintings from the 15th to the
18th Centuries. The paintings vary from biblical figures to Dutch and Belgian
landscapes.

The Hague's Museum of Public Transport is located in an old depot which was
constructed in 1906. After a few renovations, it was officially declared a museum in
1984. The museum has a collection of 28 trams which are all part of the exhibition.
Additional material such as photographs, video and small models of trams show the
public how public transport in The Hague has developed over the years. The museum
is an experience in itself and one highlight is the opportunity to purchase bus or tram
parts. 1 2 Next

Your trip to Utrecht

Utrecht is the main city of the province of the same name in the Netherlands, and the
fourth largest city in the country. It has 282 000 inhabitants. Utrecht is home of the
largest university in the Netherlands with some 27 000 students, and prides itself on
its football club.Utrecht is of ancient origin, tracing its history back to a Roman
fortification in 47 AD. It served as a border fortress of the Roman Empire on the
Rhine. Germanic tribes forced the Romans out around 270 AD. Utrecht had a bishop
from the 8th Century, and was granted city rights in the 12th Century. In 1528 Holy
Roman Emperor Charles V became Lord of the Netherlands, and the Vredenburg
Castle was built in Utrecht. The Union of Utrecht in 1579 united seven provinces
against the Spanish rule, and marked the beginning of the Dutch Republic. The treaty
that put an end to the War of the Spanish Succession was signed in Utrecht in 1713.
The first railway linking it with Amsterdam was built in 1843, and owing to its central
location, Utrecht gradually became a hub of the country's railway network. Over the
past few decades, the city grew considerably as a number of new neighbourhoods
such as Kanaleneiland, Overvecht, Hoograven and Lunetten were built.

The historical center of Utrecht is knows as the Museum Quarter. There, you can
admire the Medieval architecture, explore art galleries or relax in the cozy cafes.
The most famous building in Utrecht is the Dom Tower. With a height of 112 metres,
it is the tallest church tower in the whole of the Netherlands. It was built in the 14th
Century as part of Utrecht's cathedral, but a hurricane in 1674 detsroyed much of the
Dom Church and it was never reconnected with the tower. Its bells are said to be
second in Europe only to those in the Cologne cathedral. Guided tours to the tower
top are available, and the panorama is worth the climb.

The National Museum from Musical Clock to Street Organ is one of the most
interesting stops in the Museum Quarter. Its unique collection includes music boxes,
musical clocks, pianolas, street organs, fairground and dance hall organs. The
Railway Museum is housed in an old railway station. It is a lot of fun for children as it
includes working train models and even a Jumbo Train on which parents are not
allowed! In the old quarter, there are also nicely restored almshouses, once built by
the rich citizens for the poor, the old and the laborers.
network of beautiful canals is an indelible part of the town's atmosphere. They are
lined with stately mansions that once belonged to wealthy merchants and craftsmen.
Many of the former cellars underneath the quayside buildings have been transformed
into attractive restaurants and boutiques. Cruises offer tourists an opportunity to
explore Utrecht from a different perspective. There are two cruise companies whose
offers include stops at interesting museums and at a beer brewery. Pedaloes are
available for hire. There are even parkings for them at the quayside cafes if you
decide to stop for refreshment. Rowing boats and canoes are also popular.

Utrecht boasts one of the landmarks of modern architecture, the famous Rietveld
Schröder House. It was built in 1924 by the local architect Gerrit Thomas Rietveld for
Mrs. Truus Schröder-Schräder, in accordance with the principles of De Stijl
movement, in the typical Stijl colors: blue, red and yellow, combined with black,
white and gray. The rooms are separated by sliding walls, allowing the inhabitants to
change the layout as desired. The building is UNESCO World Heritage site.

TOUR DESCRIPTION

Departure Point:

The Damrak. Departure point is a 3 minute walk from Central Station or 10

minutes from the Cruise Passenger Terminal.

See the unique Dutch countryside of polders and canals on the way to the "Zaanse
Schans", a well known windmill village. Visit a traditional wooden shoemaker and
see the famous fishing villages of Volendam and Marken. Also stop at one of the very
few cheese farms where cheese is still made in the traditional way. Children will
especially enjoy this tour as they can help make wooden shoes!

This tour is seasonal and operates from May to October only.

Depart Amsterdam and discover the typical Dutch countryside! Admire polders and
little canals enroute to the famous Zaanse Schans village, where original buildings
vividly depict Dutch life in the 17th and 18th centuries. See the authentic houses, the
historic shipyard, and the windmills. You will visit a wooden shoemaker to watch his
clog-making techniques too!
Next you move on to the world-famous fishing villages of Volendam and Marken,
situated on the coast of the former Zuiderzee (now called Ijselmeer). See wooden
houses and locals wearing their colorful style of dress. On the way, stop at one of the
few farms where cheese is still made in the traditional way. Optional 20 minute boat
trip from Volendam to Marken available in Summer (Mar-Oct). You will have
approximately 45 minutes at each stop.

New in 2008!
We have released a new afternoon tour departing at 1:00pm. This option was created
based on customer feedback to offer an alternative itinerary and longer tour duration.
The afternoon tour (1:00pm) will be 5.5 hours. It does not visit the windmill village of
"Zaanse Schans" but stops at a lovely windmill near Volendam and includes entrance
to the Volendam Museum.

TOUR DESCRIPTION
Discover some of the different aspects of Holland - estates, castles, and the "Gooi",
known as the Gardens of Amsterdam. Drive through polders and past rivers, such as
the famous river De Vecht. Admire the beautiful 17th and 18th century castles and
estates. At the end of the tour indulge in a coffee and slice of apple pie - included in
the tour price.

This tour is seasonal and operates from May to October only.

A guided excursion that begins with a visit to the beautiful, ancient fortified city of
Naarden, with its history of bloody sieges. The well preserved fortress has a unique a
12 pointed star design, which was only designed after the Spanish massacre in the
16th century.

From Naarden, drive through the Dutch polders and the "Gooi", known as the
Gardens of Amsterdam to the river De Vecht. Here you will tour along the beautiful
estates and castles that were popular retreats for the wealthy during the 17th century.

During the trip stop for coffee and apple pie, included in the tour price.

Special Offer-1 hour Canal Cruise

Journey along the Amsterdam canals and see 17th century merchant houses, with their
beautiful fronts, churches with bell towers. This cruise includes passing through the
old harbour.

Departs daily, every 30 minutes. You have the option to take this cruise the same day
or another day.